Scientist queries testing of Westport's dead rats by mystery lab
Locals and Department of Conservation staff picked up almost 700 rats as well as dead Westland petrels, weka, octopus, starfish, a goat, crabs, crayfish and skate fish after they washed up on Westport's North Beach in November.
Testing by Maanaki Whenua Landcare Research found no residue of 1080. Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa and Clean Green New Zealand Trust said it had some of the dead wildlife tested at an unnamed lab and found they had been poisoned by 1080.
Belinda Cridge, from University of Otago's Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, said she had read both reports and had several questions around the processes used in the trust's testing and questioned its final results. She said she could not support the positive results without a detailed description of all the methods and controls used.
Can you crack Today’s neighbourhood conundrum?
Without a bridle or a saddle, across a thing, I ride a-straddle. And those I ride, by help of me, though almost blind, are made to see. What am I?
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This one was sent in by your fellow neighbour, can you figure it out?
What is first white then red and the plumper it gets the more the old lady likes it?
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$50 garden centre vouchers!
Our winners this week have won $50 to spend at a local garden centre.
Congratulations to:
Cassie Arauzo from Cockle Bay
Elizabeth Williams from Hillcrest
Luke Shamy from Hornby
Mitchell Hopping from Wallacetown
Get in touch with our helpdesk team here if you're on this list! If you're not a winner, check back next week just in case.